Miss Idaho isn't shy to strut with her insulin pump

Published 7:52 pm, Tuesday, July 22, 2014

SAN ANTONIO – While many pageant contestants worry about having the perfect makeup and hair, Sierra Sandison worried more about where to hide her insulin pump.

With confidence, Sandison, who has Type 1 Diabetes, strutted the stage with her insulin pump when she competed in the Miss Idaho pageant, even when wearing a bikini.

"As I nervously walked out of the dressing room the first night of competition, the first person I saw said, 'What's that? Is that an insulin pump?'" Sandison recalled in a blog post. "My stomach flipped upside down. 'I shouldn't have worn this,' I thought, 'everyone is going to be confused and wonder what I am wearing.'"

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Sandison writes that the inquisitor happened to be McCall Salinas, Miss Idaho Outstanding Preteen, who also has Type 1 Diabetes, and was afraid to use a pump because of vanity reasons.

The two bonded that night, and Salinas cheered on Sandison from backstage as she became Miss Idaho 2014.

"We bonded over diabetes and pageants, and by the end of the night, she told her mom she was ready to get a pump. It brought me to tears," Sandison said in her post.

Since Sandison posted a photo on Facebook of her in a bikini with an insulin pump attached to her hip during the swimsuit portion of the contest, she has become a hero for those with Type 1 diabetes.

On Twitter and Facebook, users have been posting photos of themselves and their insulin pump or pens, using the hashtag "#showmeyourpump."

In a post on Facebook, Sandison writes, "Honestly, it is terrifying walking out on stage in a swimsuit, let alone attached to a medical device. My message to everyone, diabetic or not, is that we all have something that doesn't 'measure up' to the beauty standards set by the media--and that is okay! It does not make you any less beautiful."

Sandison was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in February 2012, and her world was "flipped upside down," she found determination when she found out that Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999, wore her insulin pump while competing.

Since Sandison won the competition on July 20, supporters have flooded her social media accounts with encouragement and their own experiences, with comments ranging from "Rock on" to "Wear it proud and free!" Also showing their optimism are users that use feeding tubes and hearing aids.

Sandison will go on to compete in the Miss America pageant in September.